Unexpected landing: Hot air balloon touches down on Bedford Street in UK

A pilot’s 'near-perfect' emergency landing, aided by quick-thinking bystanders on a Saturday morning, narrowly avoided catastrophe.

Shortly before 9.30 a.m., the balloon was spotted hovering low over Bower Street. Residents saw it begin to drop toward terraced houses, parked cars and a web of overhead wires.

According to a report by The Guardian, resident Sam Coldham saw the balloon descending in Bower Street.

“It didn’t look like it was going to make it to Russell Park, so I helped grab the guide rope,” said Sam, who was out with his partner, Sian King. King caught the moment on her phone as neighbours rushed from their doors to grab the lines and pull the balloon down safely.

One witness described it as 'extraordinary,' saying the basket missed rooftops and pylons by only a few feet. Another resident, Emma Firman, called it 'the most incredible scene,' admitting she thought the balloon was about to smash into cars and wires.

The British Balloon and Airship Club later confirmed to the BBC that the balloon "landed without incident" and no one was hurt.